Pontiac High School hosts career fair, mandatory for upperclassmen

Kaino Phillips, son of former Mayor Clarence Phillips, was excited about the career fair he sponsored at Pontiac High School that was mandatory for all juniors and seniors.

"The kids loved it," said Phillips, who is now the president of the Ascend Foundation started by his father before his death to provide scholarships to Pontiac youth to go to college.

"This is the first time in history that a career fair was mandatory for all juniors and seniors," said Phillips, who gave credit to Principal Kwame Stephens for partnering with the group to put on the event Tuesday.

Some of the representatives have set up visits to schools or shadowing of people while they are working in various careers.

"That's great; if kids want to make life decisions, these experiences will be helpful," Phillips said.

"The future of our youth is an investment in the growth of our community. It is through this philosophy that we have brought together a program that is geared to help shape the vision and direction of our young adults of tomorrow," Phillips said.

Ascend also recently put on a symposium at Oakland University and plans future programs for youth, including another career fair next year that will include students from other schools.